Dr Erika Baker is an HCPC registered Clinical Psychologist with a specialism in working with young people, families and their systems. In particular, Dr Baker specialises in working with young people who experience developmental trauma, mental health difficulties and neurodivergency.

Dr Baker has worked within the field of developmental psychology for many years. Prior to her clinical training, Dr Baker was awarded a PhD in developmental and experimental psychology, exploring the early emotional and social development of children from infancy. This involved the investigation of psychophysiology across two large longitudinal studies. Dr Baker presented this research at national and international conferences, and published her work in peer reviewed journals.

Following the completion of her PhD, Dr Baker worked in a range of clinical research roles including the investigation of ADHD and risk pathways in children and young people; and a multi-site feasibility study to determine the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy intervention to support parents when their child is diagnosed with childhood chronic illness. Dr Baker went on to complete her Clinical Psychology doctorate, working with a wide range of populations across various NHS services. This included working in a forensic secure hospital, learning disabilities service, child and adolescent mental health service. Dr Baker undertook her elective year in a service supporting children and young people who had engaged in harmful sexual behaviour.

Dr Baker qualified in 2018 and has since worked in NHS child and family services, supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children, and their families.

This included working in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), supporting children and young people with a wide range of mental health presentations. Dr Baker worked into the service’s specialist autism assessment team, and specialist Cognitive Behavioural Therapy clinic. Dr Baker’s current role is working with children who have been adopted, and their families and systems around them. This involves providing direct attachment therapy interventions; consultations to systems around the child and family; delivering groups on trauma and attachment; and collaborating with research.

Dr Baker is experienced in comprehensive psychological assessments and formulations of children/young people and their families, and the identification and delivery of appropriate interventions using a range of models. She has a particular interest in developmental trauma and attachment focussed interventions and is experienced in the understanding and assessment of autism. To support this work, Dr Baker has undertaken training in Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for PTSD in children and young people, and ADOS-2 autism assessment.